MovieChat Forums > Lead Balloon (2006) Discussion > Who thinks at times Jack tries to be lok...

Who thinks at times Jack tries to be loke Ricky Gervais?

posted 16 years ago by j-mclane-1
15 replies | jump to latest

Dont get me wrong I LOVE this show, Jack Dee is a genius, but at times I think he is similar to Ricky Gervais in Extras and maybe a little bit like David Brent - or is it just me?

[–] Dnallov 16 years ago

No - Jack Dees act has been around long before Ricky Gervais, and his act in this program hasen't changed a bit.
Why do you think that in lead Balloon Jack Dee "Trys" to be Ricky Gervais?

[–] bajparry 16 years ago

To me, the actual scripts, not his performance, are very Gervais-esque. Especialy EXTRAS.

"Find out what to think next!"
-Chris Morris, "Brasseye"

[–] cutegaleva123 16 years ago

Hell no.

[–] england1965 16 years ago

Nah ... i don't really see the simularity.

Jack has always played the down-beat laconic humour so well.

If anything, Ricky tries to be Jack

[–] j-mclane-1 16 years ago

I guess your right, I think it was my imagination to be honest.

[–] jstallyn 16 years ago

I must say I'm a bigger fan of Jack than Ricky Gervais so there is probably some bias, but Jack's done the "cynical deadpan" thing ever since he started...if anything, new British comedians are always trying to emulate him.

-
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us find ourselves looking up at the stars" - Oscar Wilde

[–] Sportfan 16 years ago

Jack Dee is been in the business way before that Gervais.

Ricky Gervais aint funny, his overated. That is my opinion.

[–] the_red_tubby 16 years ago

If anything, the show's inspired by "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (something which Jack Dee has stated to be true anyway), which in turn also inspired Ricky Gervais to make "Extras". So, you can see why they would be a little similar in style.

The "I have cancer" scene in particular did remind me Gervais at first, though. Loved the scene, but it was that kinda cringeworthy humour that made "The Office" what it is.

[–] Lee-Rundle 15 years ago

I think it is a bit lazy to say that they are similar, a closer look will tell you they are not. I think they are both great, Gervais` work has liberated people like Jack Dee to be able to do Lead Balloon, a sitcom that suits him far better than a studio audience sitcom.

But the writing in Lead Balloon is brilliant and really is an extention of Jack Dee`s stand up material. It is as Jack has frequently proved a rich comedy avenue inwhich to venture. But is not simply a comedy routine crow-barred into a sitcom, all the characters are great and fully formed and played brilliantly by the cast.

[–] dave-greg 15 years ago

yeah, i've noticed that in the 3rd series he does deliver certain lines in a Brent/Gervais-esque type way.

'Turn It Up Another Ten Notches!!.'

[–] missnaughty44 15 years ago

no way! Totally different in my opinion, which is good for me becuase I can't stand bloody Ricky Gervais and have never found him funny. As others have said Jack Dee has been doing this kind of act for years, he hasn't stolen it off Gervais!

[–] aHardNightsDay 15 years ago

yeah i do, and people who disagree tend to be biased cos they like jack dee. I love him AND ricky gervais and whether or not jacks been doing this stuff for a longer time is irrelevant, the point is, on lead balloon his mannerisms and the scripts are quite extras-ish (even curb your enthusiams-esque at times). I dont know whteher or not he does it on purpose but obviously he will have seen extras and it comes across like he's mimicking it alittle

[–] medicatedsoup 15 years ago

Some similarities between lead balloon and extras maybe, but definately dont think its a deliberate attempt to copy, or think Jack Dee needs to copy Gervais, he's been perfecting that kind of character for decades in his other stuff.

I hope they make more series of lead balloon, it seems to of got better with each one so far.

[–] 15 years ago

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